Between the Lines, released in 1975 and containing the popular song "At Seventeen", is the best-known album by the then New York-based singer-songwriter Janis Ian. The album reached #1 on the Billboard album chart in September 1975, and sold 1.9 million copies in the United States. "At Seventeen" was released as a single and reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart. Ian won the 1975 Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for the song, and performed it on the first episode of Saturday Night Live on October 11, 1975.

This is Janis Ian's second album from her re-emergence in the early to mid-'70s as one of the genre's most inspired and original singer/songwriters. While this title houses Ian's biggest international hit, the confessional "At Seventeen," the entire effort combines her honest and confessional lyrics with an equally engaging blend of pop/rock and definite jazz and blues. She assembled much of the same ensemble that had worked on her previous long-player, Stars (1975), and much of the material retains the same warmth and intimacy in both her craft as well as the presentation. Unlike the more somber and introverted tracks that dominate Between the Lines (1975), the disc commences with a prime example of Ian's infectious coziness on the light and airy "When the Party's Over." This is one of the title's more straightforward love songs and features an appropriately lilting counter-harmony from Dennis Pereca. More typical are the somewhat dark and oblique "From Me to You," "The Come On," and the despairing title track. Darker still are "In the Winter" and the abject loneliness of "Tea and Sympathy" – both of which feature some engaging arrangements courtesy of famed arranger/conductor Ron Frangipane, whose clients include Melanie and Townes Van Zandt as well as both John Lennon and Yoko Ono. Underlying the heady orchestration and truly at the center of Ian's skill are her emotively powerful yet reserved melodies. This was undoubtedly a factor in "At Seventeen" becoming a Grammy winner as well as a chart-topping single stateside and a Top 20 hit throughout much of Europe as well as more disparate locations such as Israel. The strength of material and public interest garnered by Between the Lines would continue on her next equally powerful long-player, Aftertones (1976). This album is a recommended starting point for potential enthusiasts, as well as a touchstone to be repeatedly revisited.

Review by Lindsay Planer, Allmusic.com

Janis Ian - Between The Lines (1975) Remastered 2003

01. When The Part's Over (03:00)02. At Seventeen (04:43)03. From Me To You (03:20)04. Bright Lights And Promises (04:19)05. In The Winter (02:32)06. Watercolors (05:06)07. Between The Lines (04:04)08. The Come On (04:00)09. Light A Light (02:47)10. Tea And Sympathy (04:32)11. Lover's Lullaby (05:31)12. Between the Lines [Live Bonus Track] (06:28)